BELFRY STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE

The Belfry Stewardship Committee (BSC) has had another active year being involved in both bell restoration work and gathering information for the Bell Stock Surveys. During March we spent several days on the Isle of Wight and carried out surveys at Shorwell, Whitwell, Brading, Newchurch, Arreton and Niton, and have since received a survey from Shanklin. The revised bell stock forms are now available from the Guild web site.

In May we finished the preparation work at St Mary’s, Selborne. This included the cutting of pockets in the walls to accept the supporting girders, lowering the Tenor bell to the floor ready for transportation to Whitechapel Bell Foundry for tuning, and the removal of the fittings from the second bell and the tie bars and frame ends. We also assisted Matthew Higby & Co with the installation of the new frame and hanging of the two new trebles, and the rehanging of the Tenor.

We provided several working parties to remove, transport and refit some replacement parts, pullies and clapper assemblies for St Mary’s, Liss and St Peter’s, Petersfield. At Holy Trinity, Privett a new set of pullies and mountings were supplied and we fitted these in July, further improving the go of this grand old ring.

Preparation work started at High Cross, Froxfield in October, including the removal of all the running gear and the floor from beneath the old bell frame, and we have since removed the ringing room ceiling. The bells and old frame were taken down in January 2008, prior to their rehanging.

We hope to start dismantling the installation of St Nicholas, Chawton in the spring months, ready for removal later in the year. A Faculty has been approved for six new bells with a tenor of 6 cwt in B, to be cast by Taylors, Eayre & Smith. These will replace the existing bells, which are hung on a two-tier frame and are very poor sounding. Of these, the two oldest bells (Wokingham circa 1440, and Henry Knight 1st of Reading circa 1621) will be hung beneath the new ring for stationary chiming.

We have given help with belfry maintenance in a number of towers, but are also helping members of the Guild to learn to undertake maintenance themselves. In July we gave a basic Belfry Maintenance Course in the Andover District, held at Kingsclere. This was well received and a beneficial day was had by all who attended. We are intending to hold more Belfry Maintenance courses in 2008.

At our committee meeting last November we co-opted another new member, and we welcome Steve Castle (Christchurch & Southampton District).

Finally, I would again like to thank my colleagues for the valuable work that they do for the Guild.

Roger Barber